Hikers Flock to See Return of the Geese

The swallows in Capistrano usually create all the hoopla. But Canada geese, brownish-gray with black heads and white patches below the eyes, also spend winter in a southern resort.

And, when they do, one of their favorite hangouts is the Chatsworth Reservoir, where, if tradition holds, they will stay until about April 1.

On Saturday, nature lovers and their families were on hand to see the flock of Canada geese that began arriving in the area about two weeks ago.

The occasion also marked the annual tour by the Save Orcutt Community, an environmental group working to preserve the reservoir property.

In sturdy walking shoes, carrying water and bag lunches, the group of about 100 spent more than four hours trekking across the land, which is owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and is seldom open to the public.

On their hike, the group planted 75 oaks grown from acorns, according to the group’s president, Helen Treend. At last count, she said, there were more than 60 kinds of birds on the grounds.